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"Fain would they put out the light of Allah with their mouths, but Allah will perfect His light however much the disbelievers are averse." — Holy Qur'an 61:8

 

Candle Posts :: Motivational Gems for Higher Spiritual Enlightenment

:: Candle Post #46 :: What are the Benefits of Dhikr and Bandagi? ::

Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim
In the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.

Ya Ali Madad. Today, June 2, 2009, marks the 33rd day of our 40-day project entitled "Welcoming NOOR Mowlana Hazar Imam (a.s.) to Edmonton, Alberta, Canada". Click here to view the activities for each of the remaining days. Noor Mowlana Hazar Imam will receiving his Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree from the University of Alberta at a convocation on June 9, 2009 at 3 pm Edmonton time. There will be a live webcast from the University of Alberta website.

In this post, I have compiled three teachings of Rumi which will help us to understand the benefits of dhikr and bandagi.

Part 1: Rumi's Teaching on Man's Effort and God's Grace

Let us reflect deeply on the following teaching of Rumi:

'Grace is one thing and effort another. The prophets did not achieve the station of prophethood through effort; they found that good fortune through grace. However God's Wont (Custom) requires that whoever achieves prophethood live out his life in striving and virtue. This is for the sake of common people, in order that they might have confidence in the prophets and their words. For the common people are not able to see inward (batin)?they only see the outward (zahir). But when they follow the outward, they find access to the inward through the outward's intermediary and blessing.'

(Source: Fihi Mâ fihi (Discourses of Rumi) 174/183-184. Cited in William C. Chittick. The Sufi Path of Love: The Spiritual Teachings of Rumi. 1983. State University of New York Press, Albany. Page 161.)

Part 2: Rumi's Teaching on Remembrance of God

Let us reflect deeply on the benefits of dhikr and bandagi (silent dhikr with a luminous word at a luminous time):

'His Name (bol, Ism-i-azam) is the Spirit of spirits, His invocation the ruby of all mines. His love is in the soul, He is both our refuge and our hope. When I mention His Name, good fortune arrives; then the Name becomes the Named?without duality, without hesitation.'

(Source: Diwan-i Shams-i Tabrizi 30700-01. Cited in William C. Chittick. The Sufi Path of Love: The Spiritual Teachings of Rumi. 1983. State University of New York Press, Albany. Page 159.)

Part 3: Rumi's Teaching on the Importance of the Remembrance of God

Let us reflect deeply on the benefits of dhikr and bandagi (silent dhikr with a luminous word at a luminous time):

'Never be without the remembrance of God, for His remembrance provides the bird of spirit with strength, feathers and wings. If your goal becomes actualized completely, that is Light upon Light (Holy Qur'an 24:35). But in any case, through the remembrance of God your inward (batin) will be illuminated and you will achieve a degree of detachment from the world. For instance, look at the bird that wants to fly in heaven: Though it cannot reach heaven, moment by moment it soars farther from earth and higher than the other birds. Or consider a small box of musk whose opening is narrow: You put your hand into it, but you cannot bring out the musk; yet your hand becomes perfumed and your senses refreshed. So too is the remembrance of God: Even if you do not reach His Essence, yet His remembrance has numerous effects upon you. You actualize tremendous benefits by invoking Him.'

(Source: Fihi Mâ fihi (Discourses of Rumi) 175/183. Cited in William C. Chittick. The Sufi Path of Love: The Spiritual Teachings of Rumi. 1983. State University of New York Press, Albany. Page 158.)

Application of the Above Knowledge

Our Holy Imams have continually reminded us about dhikr and bandagi. In order to overcome all trials and tribulations, it is necessary to invoke God with conviction, sincerity and humility so that the blessings of inner strength, inner happiness and inner peace emerge within our souls. Al-Hamdulillah, these doors are open for all who make an effort!

Related Links:
Audio.SalmanSpiritual.com

Ardent Supplications:

Ya Ali, Ya NOOR Mowlana Shah Karim Al-Hussaini Hazar Imam, create Sunshine in our hearts, light in our foreheads, and bless us all with the inner vision of the Truth!

Ya Ali, Ya NOOR Mowlana Shah Karim Al-Hussaini Hazar Imam, grant the global Jamat luminous (noorani) and spiritual (ruhani) tayid (help) to advance materially, spiritually and intellectually. Ameen.

Haizinda — Qayampaya
(Our Present Imam is Living and His NOOR is Eternal)

Rakh Mowla je Noor te Yaqeen (Certainly, we trust in Mowla's Light only),
Noorallah Juma
SalmanSpiritual.com
Tuesday, June 2, 2009

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